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Major Power Decline by Linwood Laughy Idaho Mountain Express, February 4, 2026

Four Lower Snake River dams combined contribute only 2.6%
to Pacific Northwest's total regional electricity generation.

A new reality has emerged regarding lower Snake River dam electricity production.

Consider these facts: From 2000 to 2020, the average annual power production of all four dams combined was 936 average Megawatts (aMW). From 2021 to 2025, however, annual production declined to just 669 aMW. That's a drop of almost 30%, and nothing on the horizon suggests any change in this trend.

Bonneville Power Administration's 2024 White Book estimates the Pacific Northwest's total regional electricity load at 26,145 aMW. To that regional load, each lower Snake River dam contributes just sixth-tenths of 1%. All four dams combined contribute only 2.6%.

While power output has declined significantly, production costs continue to rise. Add in expensive fish mitigation expenses, and the lower Snake River dams are a financial liability. The sooner their electricity output is replaced with cheaper solar energy, the better for all citizens of the Pacific Northwest.